smart

smart fortwo
The smart fortwo comes in three versions: pure, passion, and passion cabrio.

Move over, Mini Cooper. Take a hike, Toyota Yaris. You're about to be "outsmalled" by the smart fortwo, an ultra-compact two-seater so diminutive that its manufacturer refuses to capitalize any of its proper names. First introduced in Europe in 1998, smart vehicles are now sold in 36 countries worldwide. The United States is slated to become country number 37.

Three versions of the smart fortwo are scheduled to go on sale here in the first quarter of 2008: pure, passion, and passion cabrio (a retractable soft-top convertible). Exact pricing will not be determined until late 2007, but smart officials expect starting prices of under $12,000 for the entry-level pure model, under $14,000 for the better-equipped passion, and under $17,000 for the passion cabrio--minus tax, license, registration, destination charge, and options.

Smart is a German company and a member of the Mercedes Car Group, which is a DaimlerChrysler company. The smart fortwo was originally designed for European motorists, who usually contend with narrow streets, congested urban areas, and relatively expensive fuel. Given that many of America's wide-open spaces aren't so wide open anymore, and our gasoline prices are flirting with the $4-per-gallon mark, smart decided that the time was right to bring its vehicles to the U.S. The company teamed with UnitedAuto Group, a Michigan-based dealership holding company, to form smart USA. Smart USA is working to develop a U.S. dealership network, which will likely include a selection of UnitedAuto Group, DaimlerChrysler, and non-affiliated dealers.

Teeny, Teeny Tininess
The smart fortwo is a mere 8.8 feet long, 5.1 feet tall and 5.1 feet wide. By comparison, a 2007 Mini Cooper hatchback, one of America's smallest cars, is 12.1 feet long, 4.6 feet tall, and 5.5 feet wide. The fortwo is actually taller than most full-size sedans, which helps it provide adequate head and legroom for large adults. Consumer Guide recently had the opportunity to take a short drive in a European-spec fortwo passion, and our 6'6" test pilot had sufficient space all-around. Likewise, the fortwo's wide door openings and upright, chair-height seats allow fuss-free entry and exit.

Cargo space is 7.7 cubic feet (12 cubic feet when filled to the roof line). Not expansive, of course, but enough for at least four or five full bags of groceries, or a set of golf clubs. Cargo accessories such as an exterior bike rack and an interior cargo net that hangs down from the headliner to prevent cargo from entering the passenger compartment will likely be added to the U.S. options list.

Taking It To The Streets
Our excursion took place on the close-quarters streets of Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, and on a relatively unencumbered four-lane stretch of Lake Shore Drive. The test vehicle was a European-spec model, complete with a kilometers-per-hour speedometer and climate controls with temperature settings listed in Celsius. The forthcoming U.S.-spec models will be retuned and recalibrated for the American market.

smart fortwo
Consumer Guide's 6'6" test pilot had a surprising amount of room in the fortwo's cabin.

Still, our time behind the wheel gave us a good foretaste of what's to come. The fortwo driving experience is quite similar to driving a subcompact vehicle such as a Chevrolet Aveo or Toyota Yaris. Because the driving position is tall and upright, the driver doesn't feel dwarfed by surrounding traffic. The ride is certainly not luxury-sedan smooth, but it is comparable to the average subcompact car.

As expected, close quarters maneuvering is outstanding. We zipped around city buses and snuck through tight openings that a larger car couldn't have managed. It's possible to squeeze two smarts in a row into the average parking space, and parallel parking is a cinch. If local laws allow, the smart can also be parked head or tail first into a street side parking spot.

smart fortwo Specifications
Wheelbase: 73.5 inches
Length: 106.1 inches
Width: 61.3 inches
Height: 60.7 inches

The fortwo's sole engine is a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder that makes 71 horsepower. The engine is mounted transversely at the rear of the car and drives the rear wheels. The lone transmission is a 5-speed sequential manual; it has no clutch pedal, and can be set to manual or automatic mode. Since the smart fortwo weighs around 1650 pounds (1740 in cabrio form), its power-to-weight ratio is similar to a 2007 Toyota Camry four-cylinder's. Our test vehicle was decently peppy in stop-and-go city driving, and had enough power on tap for worry-free passing on the highway. Smart says the fortwo has a top speed of approximately 90 mph.

The Serious Stuff
With a vehicle this tiny, occupant safety is a primary concern. The smart fortwo has a "tridion safety cell" made of three layers of strategically reinforced steel. The structure is designed to transmit the forces of an impact over its surface, while maintaining the integrity of the passenger compartment within. Both doors are also reinforced with steel bars, and crumple zones in the front and rear help dissipate the forces of an impact.

Standard safety equipment on all smart fortwos includes antilock brakes, traction control, antiskid control, and a brake assist system which provides enhanced brake timing in emergency stops. Four airbags are also standard: two front airbags and two side airbags that deploy out of the seats for head and thorax protection.

smart
Consumers can get a chance to take the wheel this summer at events
around the country during the smart road show tour.

Smart estimates the U.S.-spec fortwo's fuel efficiency at around 40 mpg in combined city/highway driving on the recommended premium-grade fuel. This figure tops the 2007 EPA ratings of all the vehicles in the subcompact class, but comes up a bit short of the significantly pricier Toyota Prius hybrid (60 city/51 highway) and Honda Civic Hybrid (49 city/51 highway).

The Fun Stuff
When the smart fortwo goes on sale next year, it will be the smallest and shortest car in the U.S. Its size and shape will definitely turn heads, and smart offers some unique color options as well. Six body colors are offered and the tridion safety cell, visible as sort of an "exoskeleton" on the car's exterior, is available with a silver or black finish. The body panels are dent-resistant plastic, and are designed to be removable so owners have the option of changing the color of their car.

The passion coupe has a panoramic fixed sunroof with a sliding sunshade. The passion cabrio has a power-retractable soft top with a heated glass rear window. Detachable side roof bars can be removed and stowed in a tailgate compartment when the top is retracted for a more open-air effect.